Calf-muzzle.



G. H. PATTERSON.

GAL MUZZLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13, 1908.

Patented J an. 12, 1909.

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CHARLES HENRY PATTERSON, OF WALSENBURG, COLORADO.

GALE-MUZZLE.

Application filed March 13, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES HENRY PAT- TERSON, citizen of the United States, residing at llValsenburg, in the county of Huerfano and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Calf-Muzzles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to calf muzzles or devices for weaning calves; and it has for its object to provide a simple, compact and strong muzzle constructed with a view of en abling a calf to graze with perfect freedom while effectually preventing the calf from nursing.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction, novel combinations, and adaptation of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims appended.

In the drawings, accompanying and forming part of this specification: Figure 1 is a view illustrating the muzzle constituting the best embodiment of my invention of which I am cognizant, in position upon a calf. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation illustrating the muzzle as the same appears when a calf puts its head to the ground to graze.

Similar letters designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings, re-

ferring to which:

A is the open body portion of my novel muzzle, which is preferably made of heavy wire in the form illustrated. The said body portion A is provided with eyes a and loops 1), the latter for the connection of halter straps; and to it is fixed a lower muzzle-receiving section B, and brace bars C therefor.

The lower muzzle-receiving section B may be of any construction consonant with the purpose of my invention without involving departure from the scope of the same as claimed, though I prefer to have it comprise a bail-shaped frame 0 of heavy wire, fixed to the lower portions of the sides of the body A, and wire net-work d fiXed to the said frame 0 and dished as shown to better receive the muzzle of a calf. The brace bars G extend from the sides of the open body A, at

points slightly below the eyes a, to the forwardportions of the side bars of the bailsha e frame 0, and are also connected with sai side bars through comparatively short brace bars D. V

E is the up er muzzle-receiving section of the improved device. This upper section comprises a bail-shaped frame e of heavy Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

Serial No. 420,889.

wire, and Wire-net-work f which is fixed to the frame e and is domed as shown in order to prevent its contacting with the muzzle of the calf. The ends of the bail-shaped frame 6 are pivotally connected to the eyes a of the open body portion A whereby it will be observed that the section E is free to swing vertically and to and from the fixed section B.

F is a bell-crank, pivotally connected at g to the side bar of the frame 6 of section E. The outer arm of the bell-crank is provided with a weight G, and the inner arm thereof terminates in an eye it which loosely receives the brace bar O at a point between the body portion A and the brace bar D.

It will be noted at this point that but one side of the structure is illustrated, and I would therefore have it understood that the other side is a duplicate of the side shown.

By virtue of the provision of the bellcranks F, relatively arranged as stated, it will be observed that when the calf on which the muzzle is secured, places its head to the ground, the Weights G will cause the muzzlereceiving section E to swing away from the muzzle-receiving section B so as to enable the calf to graze with freedom and comfort. It will also be observed that when the calf raises its muzzle to nurse, the weights G will promptly close the section E against the section B and in that way prevent said operation. It will further be noted that incidental to the opening movement of the section E, the brace bars D will serve as stops to limit the movements of the bell-cranks F with the result that the weights G are always in positions to promptly close the section E when the calf raises its head to nurse.

WVith a view of preventing the calf raising the section E by thrusting its nose up against said section, I provide the crosswise loop H of wire or other material suitable to the purpose best shown in Fig. 1. The said loop H is fixedly connected at its ends to the side bars of the frame in section B and, when the calfs head is raised, extends up into the section E. It will also be seen that the said loop H is disposed at a right angle to the frame 0 of section B to which it is fixed as before stated. From this and the described arrangement of the loop H, relative to the section E, it will be seen that should the calf attempt, when its head is raised, to thrust its nose up against the section E and thereby throw the latter upward, the calfs muzzle will bring up against the loop H, and in that 1 way the calls nose will be prevented from reaching and striking against the section E.

In addition to the practical advantages hereinbefore ascribed to my novel muzzle, it will be noted that the same is simple and inexpensive and at the same time strong, and hence is well adapted to withstand the rough usage to which calf muzzles are ordinarily subjected.

The construction herein shown and described constitutes the best practical embodiment of my invention known to me, but it is obvious that in the future practice of the invention such changes or modifications may be made as fairly fall within the scope of my invention as defined in the claims appended.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

1. A calf muzzle comprising an open body portion, a lower muzzle-receiving section fixed thereto, an upper muzzle-receiving section pivoted to the body portion whereby it is adapted to swing toward and from the lower section, a bell-crank pivoted at an intermediate oint of its length to the upper section and liaving a weight on its outer arm, and means on the lower section connected to and adapted to limit movement of the inner arm of the bell-crank.

2. A calf muzzle comprising an open body portion, a lower muzzle receiving section iixed thereto, an upper muzzle-receiving section pivoted to the body portion, whereby it is adapted to swing toward and from the lower section, a brace extending between the body portion and the lower section, a brace connecting the first mentioned brace and the lower section, and a bellc rank pivoted to the upper section and having a weight on its outer arm and also having an eye on its inner arm loosely receiving the first mentioned brace.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES HENRY PATTERSON.

Witnesses:

JoE SonoLTUs, FRED G. WALSEN. 

